The Shadow Accords Series by D.K. Holmberg

The A'ras of Nyaesh have a terrifying reputation: skilled swordsmen, owners of powerful magic, and ruthless killers. When they kill her parents, Carth discovers her parents had trained her for magic she never knew she possessed. She must use the skills they taught to stay alive, discover a way to find answers, and avenge them if she can. Only the discovery of a greater threat than the A'ras forces her to risk herself for new friends, and a home she never wanted.

When Carthenne Rel first came to Nyaesh, she feared the A’ras. Now she trains with them, struggling to use the magic they teach, and cut off from the shadow blessing within her. Isolated for her differences, she has only a few friends among the other students. When the strange and powerful Master Invar offers to teach her to access the powers warring within her, Carth is isolated even more... moreWhen Carthenne Rel first came to Nyaesh, she feared the A’ras. Now she trains with them, struggling to use the magic they teach, and cut off from the shadow blessing within her. Isolated for her differences, she has only a few friends among the other students. When the strange and powerful Master Invar offers to teach her to access the powers warring within her, Carth is isolated even more. As the deadly Reshian attack the city, Carth discovers a secret, one linked to the shadows she must suppress, and the combination of her magic is key to the A'ras survival. She needs to master her abilities as an even more dangerous threat appears, one that changes everything she’s become, and challenges everything she knows about her past. less

Carthenne Rel survived the Hjan attack on the A'ras and has left the north, the only place she ever really known. Now she travels to better understand what it means that she's shadow born. Stranded by storms in a dangerous port city, she's captured while helping rescue a young girl from slavers. Discovering her mysterious captor's agenda forces her to play his games in order to escape, only to realize she hasn't finished with the Hjan... moreCarthenne Rel survived the Hjan attack on the A'ras and has left the north, the only place she ever really known. Now she travels to better understand what it means that she's shadow born. Stranded by storms in a dangerous port city, she's captured while helping rescue a young girl from slavers. Discovering her mysterious captor's agenda forces her to play his games in order to escape, only to realize she hasn't finished with the Hjan. The lessons her captor has taught just might be the key to defeating them for good while protecting all of the north. less

Carth has forged the accords, but she fears the tenuous peace, and travels throughout the north expecting the Hjan will violate it, all while knowing it is nothing more than an excuse to avoid another task she should complete. When she finds evidence of attacks along coastal villages, Carth wonders if peace has already failed, though not because of the Hjan. Discovering the reason for the attacks leads her to an old master who finally coaxes her to search for answers from her past... moreCarth has forged the accords, but she fears the tenuous peace, and travels throughout the north expecting the Hjan will violate it, all while knowing it is nothing more than an excuse to avoid another task she should complete. When she finds evidence of attacks along coastal villages, Carth wonders if peace has already failed, though not because of the Hjan. Discovering the reason for the attacks leads her to an old master who finally coaxes her to search for answers from her past. If she fails, so will the peace accords between Ih and Lashasn. less

After surviving the blood priests, Carth heads south with a renewed focus, determined to learn more about the Hjan before they gain too much strength and violate the accords. They reach Asador as one of her crew suffers from a mysterious illness. Finding answers leads her deeper into an underworld she knew existed but had not expected to find so easily. Now she needs to help not only her friend but the many others within Asador who have been used... moreAfter surviving the blood priests, Carth heads south with a renewed focus, determined to learn more about the Hjan before they gain too much strength and violate the accords. They reach Asador as one of her crew suffers from a mysterious illness. Finding answers leads her deeper into an underworld she knew existed but had not expected to find so easily. Now she needs to help not only her friend but the many others within Asador who have been used. Carth discovers there are unexpected ways to counter her magic, and she must first save herself before she can help anyone else. less

Carth has begun to develop her network, and offers her protection to the women of Asador, but not all are pleased with what she has done. When an assassin kills someone close to her, Carth leaves the city in pursuit. What she finds reveals that her plans have been inadequate, and the game she thought she had been playing might have been another entirely. If she doesn’t adapt, those she’s vowed to protect will be in danger, and a greater threat will be unleashed.